Traditional Chinese medicine Curcuma Zedoary ( E'Zhu) contains essential oil, curcuminoid and other effective constituents, with such pharmacological actions as anti-platelet aggregation, lowing blood lipid, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. In recent years, studies have showed that certain extracts and chemical components of E'Zhu could mitigate myocardial cell mitochondria injury and protect vascular endothelium by enhancing heme oxygenase-1 activity, inhibit nuclear factor NF-kappaB, target genes interleukin-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-6 (TRAF-6) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), reduce inflammatory infiltration, and inhibit growth factor-induced smooth muscle cells (SMCs) proliferation and migration by impacting oxidation of cellular phosphatases. Due to its different functions in vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, E'Zhu has been applied in drug-eluting stents, with a potential effect in preventing in-stent restenosis and thrombogenesis. In this paper, studies on pharmacological effects and mechanisms of extracts and main chemical constituents from E'Zhu in preventing vascular restenosis were summarized.
Animals ; Constriction, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Humans ; Stents

Aged ; Alcoholic Beverages ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; etiology ; Male ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; complications

Human calcitonin (hCT) is a 32 amino acid peptide hormone that requires C-terminal amidation for full biological activity. Calcitonin has important physiological function in vivo. We describe the couple expression of a synthesized modified human calcitonin(hmCT) gene fused with glutathione-S-transferase and rat peptidylglycine alpha-amidation monooxygenase (PAM) in insect cells infected by recombinant baculovirus GSTCT/PAM. Using Western blotting against hmCT or rat PAM, the GSThmCT fusion protein had been identified as well as the PAM. Following affinity chromatography with glutathione agarose column, the GSThmCT fusion protein produced by insect cells was purified. The purified fusion protein was also interacted with antibody against hmCT. The couple expression of a modification enzyme and its substrate in eucaryotic expression system may be used for producing other biological activity peptides.
Animals ; Baculoviridae ; genetics ; Calcitonin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Insecta ; cytology ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Multienzyme Complexes ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlations between MELD score and left ventricular function in patients with end-stage liver disease.

METHODSA total of 92 patients who prepared for orthotopic liver transplantation from January 2002 to May 2008 were enrolled in this study. Of these Patients, 75 were males and 17 were females, and the mean age was 50.3+/-9.5 years; 85 were cirrhosis, 7 were cirrhosis with primary liver cancer. Preoperative information, including biochemical parameters, coagulation parameters, indicators of hepatitis virology, two-dimensional echocardiography and electrocardiogram were collected. According to MELD (the Model for End-stage Liver Disease) scoring system, these subjects were categorized into three groups: MELD score is less than or equal to 9 points (31 cases, 33.7%); 10 is less than or equal to MELD score is less than or equal to 19 points (45 cases, 48.9%); MELD score is more than or equal to 20 points (16 cases, 17.4%). The relationships between MELD score and classification and cardiac function were determined by chi-square test, analysis of variance, rank sum test and correlation analysis, et al.

RESULTSMELD score was significantly correlated with left atrial diameter (LAD), interventricular septum thickness (IVST), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), aortic flow (AF), cardiac output (CO), QRS interval (QRSI) and corrected QT interval (QTc) (r = 0.317, 0.341, 0.228, 0.387, 0.325, 0.209 and 0.347, respectively; P value less than 0.01, respectively); except QRSI, these variables and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT) were also correlated with INR (a MELD component) (r = 0.282, 0.319, 0.322, 0.435, 0.275, 0.320 and 0.237, respectively; P value less than 0.01, respectively); LAD, LVEDD, AF, CO and QTc were correlated with serum total bilirubin (r = 0.241, 0.219, 0.357, 0.246 and 0.253, respectively; P value less than 0.05, respectively); IVST and E/A ratio (A blood flow [from left atrium to left ventricular] velocity ratio between early diastole [E wave] and late diastole[A wave] ) were correlated with serum creatinine (r = 0.216 and -0.343; P value less than 0.05 and 0.01); the proportion of E/A is less than or equal to 1 in all subjects was 46.7% (43/92), and 48.4% (15/31), 35.6% (16/45) and 75.0% (12/16) in each group, besides, there was statistically significant difference between 10 is less than or equal to MELD score is less than or equal to 19 points group and MELD score is more than or equal to 20 points group (X2 = 7.359, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONSThere are different degrees of left ventricular structure, function and electrophysiological changes in patients with end-stage liver disease, these anomalies also will be increased with the MELD score increasing.

Adult ; End Stage Liver Disease ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver Failure ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo investigate the upstaging and accumulation of gentamicin by mouse hair cells in vitro.

METHODSCochlear explants were prepared from the microdissected neonatal mouse cochlea. Cochlear explants were cultured with gentamicin-Texas-red conjunction (GTTR) for different time. Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the distribution of GTTR in the cochlear sensory cells after labeling with phalloidin-alexa-488.

RESULTSSoon after culture, there was diffuse red staining all tissue cells in the explants. At later time the hair cells were more staining than other cells in the explants. There was no obviously accumulation of GTTR in the supporting cells. The peak level of fluorescent density was reached at 24 hours culture. The GTTR was seen in the infracuticular zone of the hair cells. There was still accumulation of GTTR in the hair cells of the explants after 7 days culturing.

CONCLUSIONSGTTR and cochlea explants were useful methods to investigate the pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of gentamicin accumulation over time.

Animals ; Cochlea ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gentamicins ; pharmacokinetics ; Hair Cells, Auditory ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Organ Culture Techniques

OBJECTIVETo investigate uptake and accumulation of gentamicin by cells in the guinea pig inner ear after intratympanic injection using a fluorescent probe--gentamicin-Texas-red conjunction (GTTR).

METHODSAdult guinea pigs (n = 80) were administered a single dose of GTrR to the middle ear cavity through the intact membrane and survived for 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 3 d, 4 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d. The distribution of GTTR in the cochlear and vestibular cells was observed after staining with phalloidin-alexa-488. Texas Red and DMSO were injected into the tympanum as control.

RESULTSDiffuse staining of gentamicin in the labyrinth was observed initially after local drug administration. At later time point the outer hair cells and sensory cells of vestibular organ were staining more densely than the support cells in the inner ear. The peak level of fluorescent density was reached 3 days after local injection. The GTTR was observed in the infracuticular zone.

CONCLUSIONSGTTR was a potential fluorescent probe to investigate the pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of gentamicin accumulation in local application.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Ear, Inner ; metabolism ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Gentamicins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Guinea Pigs ; Hair Cells, Auditory ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the roles of monocyte chemotactic factors (MCP-1, RANTES and Fractalkine) on the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with stable (SAP) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP).

METHODSPatients with SAP (n = 50) and UAP (n = 50) underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and intravenous ultrasound (IVUS) were included in the study. Monocyte chemotaxis was assayed by the transwell chamber. Concentrations of hs-CRP, MCP-1, RANTES and Fractalkine were measured by Enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). mRNA expression of MCP-1, RANTES and Fractalkine in the monocytes was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSIVUS evidenced soft lipid plaques in 48% UAP patients and in 16% SAP patients (P < 0.05). SAP patients had mainly fibrous and mixed plaques. Plaque burden and vascular remodeling index were significantly higher in UAP patients than in SAP patients (P < 0.01). The averaged number of migrated monocytes in the UAP patients were higher than that in patients with SAP (P < 0.01). Concentration of hs-CRP, MCP-1, RANTES and Fractalkine were significantly higher in UAP patients than those of SAP patients (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). mRNA expression of MCP-1, RANTES and Fractalkine in patients with UAP was significantly higher than those of SAP patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUpregulated monocyte chemotactic factors (MCP-1, RANTES and Fractalkine) might promote coronary plaque vulnerability in UAP patients.

Angina Pectoris ; metabolism ; pathology ; Angina, Unstable ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL5 ; metabolism ; Chemokine CX3CL1 ; metabolism ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

Objective To group and characterize natural plague foci in China.Methods A novel two-class typing method as well as a three-indication nomenclature method were established to group and characterize the natural plague foci,on the basis of eco-geographical landscapes of plague foci,genetics of Yersinia pestis,zoology of rodent reservoirs and the entomology of flea vectors.Results A total of 12 distinct natural plague foci (including 19 subtypes) as well as their biological features were characterized.Conclusion Natural plague foci in China were grouped and characterized in this study.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics, therapeutic outcomes and prognostic factors of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODSClinical records of 31 cases of PCNSL were collected, the clinical charactenstics were analyzed retrospectively. Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival methodology and statistical significance of continuous variables was assessed via the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTSThe median age was 52 years, with a ratio of male to female 1:1. Headache/dizzy/limb numbness were the most common presentation and the lesions of PCNSL were primarily located at the frontal, parietal, temporal lobes and corpus callosum. All the cases were pathologically diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 6 cases were the type of germinal center (GC) and 25 cases of non-GC type, after craniotomy operation and biopsy. Among 31 cases, 17 patients accepted the combined treatment, 3 patients underwent simple chemotherapy, 8 patients received simple radiotherapy, the other patients accepted support therapy. The median follow-up for surviving patients was 24 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 80.6%, 55.1%, and 36.4%, respectively. The median overall survival time in the combined treatment group was significantly longer than that in simply radiotherapy. There was no significant difference in OS between the groups with and without rituximab. ECOG PS≥2 and elevated serum LDH predicted inferior survival.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical manifectation of PCNSL is various and complicated, and for the time being there is no optimal treatment scheme. The overall survival time of the combined treatment is longer than that in simply radiotherapy. ECOG PS≥2 and elevated serum LDH often are poor prognostic factors.

Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo analyze the composition and control status of chronic diseases among rural residents in a Beijing suburb district.

METHODSRural residents aged 35 years or older were investigated by stratified random sampling in Pinggu District, Beijing. Each participant received questionnaire-based survey,physical examination,and laboratory tests including routine blood test,urine albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), liver and renal function,serum lipid, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin.

RESULTSA total of 10 385 residents completed all items. Cerebrovascular disease was leading cause of hospitalization (accounting for 14.4%) and its incidence in the population was 9.6%. The incidences of hypertension,hyperlipidemia,diabetes mellitus,and gout/hyperuricemia,which were the main compositions related with metabolic diseases,were up to 64.4%,42.5%,24.4%, and 9.0%, respectively. The disease onset was significantly related with the age. The incidence of hypertension was gradually elevated with the increasing of age,while the peak age was 55-64 years for diabetes and 35-44 years for gout/hyperuricemia. The awareness rate of hypertension,diabetes,and chronic kidney disease was 60.2%, 55.1%,and 6.0%,respectively. The control rate of chronic disease was 19.2% and 28.8% in hypertensive and diabetic patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSCerebrovascular diseases and metabolic-associated diseases are the main chronic diseases affecting rural residents in Pinggu district, Beijing. The awareness rate and control rate of chronic diseases needs to be further enhanced by strengthening health education and improving the community medical service.

Adult ; Beijing ; Chronic Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hyperuricemia ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires